Praleum w SL. Smoky and broody. Preferred the 82 Poggio Antico Brunello to this.
This was a great bottle: fragrant and beautifully defined on the nose that on this occasion offered a more conspicuous graphite scent, which lent it a Pauillac-like personality. Allowing the wine to open and aerate, the traits one associates with the property emerge—wilted violets and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and mineral-laden, that suggestion of candied orange peel on the entry segueing into layers of pure red and black fruit. There is always something effortless about this Chateau Margaux and the pixelation on the finish is up there with the very best. Is it the best 1982 First Growth? No, it's not quite up there with 1982 Latour or Mouton-Rothschild, however, it is a sublime evocation of the vineyard and it will continue to give pleasure for a couple of decades yet. Tasted May 2016. RP97 — 6 days ago
Remarkably young in the glass, with a bright bouquet. Dark fruit, graphite, and plenty of tannins after an hour decant that evolve in the glass. Time to drink now or in many years to come. — 4 days ago
Opaque garnet-purple.
Big blackberry nose.
Classic Margaux acidity and tannin structure.
New world ripeness with old world style.
15-20 years aging potential. — 17 days ago
My gut feeling on the identity of this blind was a young Brunello or Rosso with new oak. In hindsight, if I had been a little more methodical, the identity would have been obvious - the stickiness of the tannins as it hits the palate on the tongue was a dead giveaway of the Merlot (49%) component, while the directionality of the tannins as it moved across the palate along the gums (on the base of teeth) can clearly be attributed to Cabernet Sauvignon (51%). Flavours again tripped me. The Morello cherry aroma, sheen of volatile acidity, fresher fruit ripeness, elegant medium body, and tart acidity just never put me onto Bordeaux… but of course it was a Margaux.
This was a really elegant example of Bordeaux, but does come off a little simple - just juicy fruits (red on the nose, black on the palate) and new oak, which leaves you yearning for more complexity to fill the “void” between the flavours. It is perhaps still a little young at this stage (my notes came after 3 hours of aeration; started off real tight according to RL), so could offer more with cellaring. Notably, I enjoyed this without much palate fatigue, although the new oak still irks me. A huge victory for young Bordeaux in my books. — a month ago
Taste of plum, with herbs and oak. Tannins are still abit sharp. Should smoothen with another few years of aging ! — 14 days ago
This wine represents! What a beautiful fruit forward red berry nose with brush, pine, and anise--red licorice. A bit hot, but all else melds beautifully into a perfect Margaux. I will rebuy this wine and redo the notes. Meanwhile, this is a winner!
93+ points — 13 days ago
2018 vintage. Graphite, cherry and ripe dark plum in the nose. That tantalizing P-L perfectly medium body. Dill, rosemary, cedar, mint and sandalwood adding to the plum and cherry on the finish. “Devolving” a bit as the evident showiness of the last six months is retreating. Wine is a living thing so it’s allowed to have attitude. Crawling back into its’ shell for now. — 23 days ago
David Koenen
Feminine style, flowers, minerals, slim and balanced. Very elegant and thus; true to type. Unbelievable this is 22 years old. — 2 days ago